Abstract: The study aims to compare between serum non-HDL Cholesterol, CRP and Uric Acid Levels in Metabolic Syndrome. Fifty subjects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) (30 women, 20 men) who confirmed by the ATP III diagnosis criteria and have no any medical treatment were included in the study. Twenty healthy subjects constituted as the control group (13 women, 7 men). Blood samples were obtained after overnight fasting by using standard sampling procedure and measured fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, serum uric acid and CRP levels. Non–HDL-C was calculated by a formula (Non HDL-C = TC - HDL-C), C-reactive protein was measured using a commercially available ELISA Kit (Ray Biotech, Inc.) Uric acid level was determined using enzymatic (urease) method. Blood sugar and lipid profile were measured by using standard colorimetric commercial kit. Mean, Standard deviation and unpaired t- test (p value) were applied. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Anthropometric variables (blood pressure, BMI and WC) highly significantly (p<0.0001) increased except age (p=0.37 NS) in MetS (n=50) patients than control (n=30) groups. Lipid profile including TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C showed statistically significantly raised (p<0.0001) whereas HDL-C observed decreased (p<0.0001) in same manners. In case N-HDL-C, CRP and serum uric acid levels were found statistical significantly elevated (p<0.0001) in MetS on comparison with control group. Non-HDL-C may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in MetS. Monitoring HDL-C concentrations may reduce the cardiovascular risk. Therefore, non-HDL-C and CRP might be useful markers for predicting cardiovascular events in both high-risk and healthy individuals. Serum Uric Acid levels were significantly higher with MetS samples. Uric acid and non HDL cholesterol can be considered as a component of MetS.

Abstract: The aim of this investigation is to characterize the Phyllanthus muellerianus plant dye used as a colour source in painting walls and craft works for ages in Oghe, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FT-IR and 1H NMR) techniques were employed to characterize P. muellerianus dye. UV-Vis absorption spectrum shows peaks at 313 nm and 482 nm being attributes of anthocyanine. According to FT-IR and 1H NMR investigations the tested sample have cyaniding glycoside and peonidin glycoside.

Abstract: Normal pregnancy is associated with significant hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemias are well known as a modifiable risk factor for ischemic heart disease, which is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditionally LDL is referred to as 'Bad Cholesterol'. It is now established that more than LDL as a whole, it is the small dense subtype of LDL in particular which is responsible for the atherogenicity of LDL. In this study we aimed to determine whether normal pregnancy is associated with a shift in distribution of LDL subtypes, and whether a shift to a more atherogenic lipid profile is an inevitable consequence of normal pregnancy. 100 women with normal, uncomplicated pregnancy were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected in the middle of each trimester and 3-4 months post partum, and LDL and small dense LDL levels were estimated. Repeated Measures Anova with post hoc correction was used to compare the mean values of LDL and sdLDL among the different trimesters. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Normal pregnancy was associated with a progressive and significant rise in both LDL and sdLDL levels, peak values being attained in the third trimester. Post partum, LDL levels returned to the base line, whereas the sdLDL levels still remained significantly higher than the baseline. Normal pregnancy is associated with an increase in the levels of small dense sub fractions of LDL, which is not fully reversed by 3-4 months postpartum.

Abstract: Neuroinflammation, mediated by the reactivity of the system of cytokines, accompanies the flow of amyloidosis in Alzheimer’s disease, alongside with disturbances in the work of central departments of the olfaction analyzer. Therefore, it is advisable to determine the reactivity of the cytokine system in the brain sections of elderly rats (neocortex, hippocampus, olfaction bulbs, hypothalamus, caudate nuclei) under the conditions of the bulbar effect of β-amyloid peptide aggregates. The content of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in the brain sections of the rats having the age of 18 months (n = 24) that are being studied was determined 5 days after the intrabulbar injection of the suspension of β-amyloid peptide 40 (Amyloid β Protein Fragment 1-40, Sigma-Aldrich, USA) in the bidistilate or the solvent itself. It has been shown that the initial level of activity of the cytokine system (intact animals of the control group, n = 8) in the brain sections that are tangent to the olfaction analyzer (neocortex, hippocampus and olfactory bulbs) is probably lower in comparison to other parts (hypothalamus and caudate nucleus) of elderly rats. Intraubulbar injection of β-amyloid peptide 40 aggregates to elderly rats (experimental group, n = 8) increases the activity of the cytokine system in the brain structures distant from the spot of injection (neocortex and hippocampus) responsible for memory mechanisms. It has been determined that the reactivity of the cytokine system in the neocortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus is higher not only in response to the specific toxic effects of the β-amyloid peptide 40 aggregates (experimental group, n = 8), but also due to surgical intervention with the injection of solvent alone (comparison group, n = 8). It has been generalized that the low content of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in phylogenetically younger parts of the brain (neocortex, hippocampus) of intact animals corresponded to increased reactivity of the cytokine system under the influence of exogenous β-amyloid peptide 40.

Abstract: Fasting for at least eight hours prior to a lipid test has been standard practice in India and internationally for many years. However, a growing body of evidence and international expert opinion suggests that a non-fasting lipid profile can be used in most situations. Factors That Contribute to an Individual’s Usual Cholesterol Level: The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has the following recommendations to ensure that individual lipid measurements are clinically useful. Individuals should be on their regular diet and their weight should be stable for at least 2 weeks before their lipids or lipoproteins are measured. Patient preparation and blood collection procedures should be standardized according to these guidelines: Variation in lipid values- Age and gender, Posture, Venous Occlusion, Anticoagulants. Prolonged tourniquet application (2–5 min) can increase cholesterol from 5 to 15%. Biological variation is <5% for cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol and 20 to 30% for triglycerides, Considerable variation can occur from one assay to another between clinical laboratories, For patient care, it is important to know if the LDL is calculated or is measured directly, In order to compare results from different laboratories, it is important to know which assay method is utilized, If patient is non-fasting, a direct LDL test is recommended, Sudden changes in lipid values may indicate a change in diet, medications, or onset of a new disease state. When attempting to answer whether fasting or non fasting lipids are most appropriate, it is important to first think carefully about the clinical scenario and consider what question is to be answered with the results.

Abstract: The oxidative stress caused by free radicals and reactive oxygen species released during smoking can play a significant role in pathogenesis and development of Chronic Bronchitis. This study is conducted to evaluate serum levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) a lipid peroxidation product as a marker of oxidative stress and vitamin C major antioxidant in body in chronic bronchitis patients and healthy controls. Comprised of 80 subjects, 40 healthy controls and 40 chronic bronchitis cases were included. Kei Satoh method used for measuring MDA and Serum vitamin C was estimated by method 2,4-Dintrophenyl hydrazine method Serum MDA a lipid peroxidation product from cell membrane considered as marker of oxidative stress was elevated in chronic bronchitis patients when compared to healthy controls where as serum level of vitamin C major antioxidant significantly decreased in chronic bronchitis patients when compared to controls.. MDA maker is of oxidative injury significantly increased in chronic bronchitis cases which is likely associated with active smoking habit and also be due to systemic inflammation. The decrease in level of antioxidant capacity in chronic bronchitis patients appears likely consequence of higher oxidative stress and increased consumption of antioxidants. By stopping smoking and advising antioxidant rich food may halt the further progression of chronic bronchitis disease.

Abstract: Some meat and dairy products contain small amounts of naturally occurring trans fat. But most trans fat is formed through an industrial process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oil, which causes the oil to become solid at room temperature. This partially hydrogenated oil is less likely to spoil, so foods made with it have a longer shelf life. Some restaurants use partially hydrogenated vegetable oil in their deep fryers, because it doesn't have to be changed as often as do other oils. High intakes of industrial trans fatty acids (iTFA) increase circulating low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, which has implicated iTFA in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Published data on iTFA and LDL-C, however, represent higher intake levels than the U.S. population currently consume. Number of studies is under process. Findings indicated that a wide range of oils and interventions were used, limiting the ability to determine an isolated effect of iTFA intake. Further, it appears that few dose-response data points are available to assess the relationship of low levels of iTFA, particularly from PHO exposure, and LDL-C. Therefore, limited evidence is available to determine the effect of iTFA at current consumption levels on CHD risk.

Infertility has remained a major health problem among couples and sexually active individuals who seek to procreate, and the search for therapeutic solutions have remained endless. This led to the consumption of moringa oleifera as fertility aid. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of ethanolic extract of moringa oleifera seeds and leaves on pregnancy. Eighty-four (84) albino rats comparing of 56 females and 28 males, which acclimatised for two weeks and mated in ratio of 2 females to 1 male, the pregnant female rats were then divided into 7 Groups of 7; All rats were weighed on a daily basis throughout the research period. Group 1- Control (10ml/kg body weight/day of vehicle [Tween 80] orally). Groups 2-4 (Seed extract at dose level of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight/day respectively), Groups 5-7 (Seed extract at dose level of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight/day respectively). Administration was carried out throughout the gestation period. The blood samples were collected for hormonal assay and under standard aesthetic conditions. From the results it was observed that the moringa oleifera leave and seed extract caused resorption of the foetus with decrease in weight in a dose dependent manner; however, there was no disruption of the normal gestation. The levels of FSH and LH for animals treated with 400mg/kg were significantly lower than those of 200mg/kg, 100mg/kg and the control group. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of both the leaf and seed of moringa oleifera has shown abortifacient effect and therefore not advise for consumption during pregnancy.

The property of iron to get reversibly oxidized and reduced is essential for its metabolic functions. Severe iron deficiency can produce cardiovascular disease. Wide range of biochemical markers are implicated in the pathogenesis of anaemia like Serum Ferritin, Malondialdehyde and Homocysteine. The purpose of the study is to assess serum ferritin, homocysteine and plasma malondialdehyde levels in Iron deficiency anaemic patients and to find whether anaemic patients are prone to cardiovascular disease or not. A case control study was carried out at Lata Mangeshkar hospital, Nagpur in which serum malondialdehyde and homocysteine levels measured in 30 diagnosed patients of Iron deficiency anaemia in the age from 19 to 40 years were compared with healthy controls. Malondialdehyde was estimated by the method of Randox laboratory. Serum homocysteine was measured by using ELISA kits. The data was analysed for correlation between levels of homocysteine and malondialdehyde with serum ferritin in patients of Iron deficiency anaemia. Serum malondialdehyde levels in patients with Iron deficiency anaemia were higher i.e. 0.680+0.349 (ng/ml) than in controls which were 0.144+0.102 (ng/ml) with a statistically significant value of p <0.05.Statistically, there was also a significant rise in homocysteine levels in patients with Iron deficiency anaemia i.e.76.105+16.836(ng/ml) as compared to 27.57+12.11 (ng/ml) in controls. An inverse relation exists between serum ferritin and markers of oxidative stress. Iron deficiency anaemic patients have elevated levels of malondialdehyde and homocysteine than the control group and both these parameters may be common mediators in the pathogenesis of accelerated atherosclerosis.